Lon Chaney Jr: Star Close-Up, October 1969

An extract from the interview conducted by Derek Hart for BBC's Star Close-Up and broadcast October 31st 1969. Thanks to Steve Jones for the audio.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Lon
• Chaney
• Jr
• Junior
• Wolfman
• Lonster
• classic
• horror
• films

[143AC]

Dear HerasFolly, Sadly,there are no kinnie films or videotapes or even

audio tracks of Mr.Lon Chaney,Jr.'s interview on Mr.Johnny

Carson's version of NBC TV's"Tonight Show".

[chrissie2590]

There is an audio tape of Lon's appearance on Carson, which I have, but like this recording it's home-made and the quality is not very good.

[burtonrules123]

ok hes bashing the HILARIOUS abbot and costello meet frankenstien BUT he was in that, playing the wolfman no less! so, cmon! ok so it poked fun of the horror genre, but it was all in good fun!

and wow chaney sounds terrible here. all those years of drinking i would guess.

[TheaterRaven]

I agree 100% on the "there's killing for the sake of killing and blood for the sake of blood". So true. Which is why I prefer the silent films and films of the '30s and '40s. Characters in those films, in every genre, had personalities and motives for the things they did. With VERY few exceptions, modern Hollywood relies too much on special effects, sex appeal, gore, and glamor. They've forgotten how powerful storytelling and subtlety can be. Bring back the old ways of acting/movie making!

[bluworm]

@TubeGunner I wonder what "Dracula" would've been like with Lon Chaney instead of Lugosi. I think "Dracula" is one slow-moving film, while Chaney's silent films (and himself acting in them) were very dynamic and fast-paced.

[Tuber77]

Personally i think once Bela Lugosi & Boris Karloff dead. Good horror movies also dead. It all became all about T&A, and showing the grosses things on screen as possible. Not to mention almost every slasher film has the same basic plot. There all shallow and predictable. Not to mention that making everything in color takes away the great creepy feel that old horror use to have.

[younghoss]

I like many of Junior's movies, but I don't agree with him here. He talks like he is such an "artist" on a higher plane desiring the very best from his craft. But he was in a bunch of real stinkers later in his career, just for the money. I get it that all actors, directors, producers, even stage hands want paid, but a person can't claim they are an "artist" but still make low low low budget stinkers. He did it for the money too, just like the ones he complains about.

[clintbronson5]

I love ALL horror films (from the silents of the 20's to the gore of the present) but I agree nothing touches the classic monsters for they are in a class to themselves. However I disagree with the great Chaney Jr. for this interview was taken in the 60's and that decade took HORROR to a whole new realm. No longer are their cobwebs and castles but men dressed like their momma's and the dead ripping your flesh to feed it's hunger. They had a new name for PSYCHO & N.O.T.L.D. EXTREME HORROR

[MrFrontrowkid]

In 1969, I received a nice letter and autographed photo from Mr. Chaney. I had asked him what type of roles did he like to play? His response was similar to what he says on the tape. The Wolf Man as he played was a tortured man who realized that this was his destiny and all he wanted was to die in peace. He may have felt that A&C lampooned the monsters, but it was evident that he did enjoy playing opposite them.

[jksonny]

Sad to hear Chaney like this. While I agree with some of his criticism of some "modern" horror films, I disagree that Abbott and Costello ruined the genre. 'A and C Meet Frankenstein' allowed Universal's monsters to bow out gracefully. The film was a tribute, not a mockery.

[WOLF10307]

Thanks For posting this audio of Lon Chaney and IMOP he and will alway be the best and the one and only Wolfman to me!

[daffydoug]

Wolfman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!